Protecting Your Business from Phishing: A Guide for Small Business Employees
By Eddy Team — September 9, 2025
Why Phishing Matters to Your Company
Phishing attacks represent one of the most serious cybersecurity threats facing small businesses today. With 43% of all cyber attacks targeting businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees, and small businesses receiving the highest rate of targeted malicious emails at 1 in 323, your organization is likely already in cybercriminals' crosshairs.
The financial impact is devastating. 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyberattack shut down within six months, and the average cost ranges from $84,000 to $254,445 per incident. More alarming still, phishing attacks cost organizations an average of $4.8 million per breach, making it the third costliest initial threat vector.
What Is Phishing?
Phishing is a cybercrime where attackers trick people into revealing sensitive information or taking harmful actions by impersonating trusted entities. These attacks typically arrive via email but can also occur through text messages, phone calls, or fake websites.
Phishing has evolved significantly. Today's attacks use sophisticated techniques, with 73.8% of phishing emails in 2024 incorporating some form of AI, making them harder to detect than ever before. AI-generated phishing emails achieve a 54% click-through rate compared to just 12% for human-written messages.
Common Phishing Red Flags Every Employee Should Know
Suspicious Email Addresses
- Misspelled domains: Look for domains like "amaz0n.com" instead of "amazon.com"
- Unfamiliar senders: Be wary of emails from unknown addresses
- Generic domains: Professional communications shouldn't come from "@gmail.com" or "@yahoo.com" addresses
- Mismatched information: When the sender's display name doesn't match their email domain
Content Warning Signs
- Urgent language: Phrases like "act now," "immediate action required," or "your account will be suspended"
- Too-good-to-be-true offers: Unexpected prizes, bonuses, or discounts requiring personal information
- Poor grammar and spelling: Professional organizations typically have well-written communications
- Suspicious attachments: Be especially cautious of .exe files or unexpected HTML attachments
Request Red Flags
- Requests for personal information: Legitimate companies rarely ask for passwords or sensitive data via email
- Unusual financial requests: Especially urgent requests for wire transfers or payment changes
- Links to login pages: Hover over links to verify they lead to legitimate websites
HR and Payroll-Specific Phishing Threats
Your HR and payroll systems are particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals. Recent trends show a significant uptick in HR payroll phishing scams where attackers impersonate employees requesting changes to their paycheck deposit information.
Common HR-targeted phishing scenarios include:
- Fake payroll update requests: Emails claiming to be from employees asking to change their banking information
- Benefits enrollment scams: Fraudulent messages about health insurance or retirement plan updates
- Policy update notifications: Fake HR communications about new workplace policies
- Executive impersonation: Cybercriminals posing as CEOs or other executives requesting wire transfers or sensitive employee information
These attacks are particularly dangerous because they often wait until the last minute to request changes, using urgency to override logic and common sense.
A real-world example
The screenshot below is from an actual email sent to an employee inviting them to see the latest "time tracking updates".
While this email might look real, the sender address is not from eddy.com.
To view the sender, hover over (or tap and hold on mobile) the sender’s name to check the full email address. If you’re unsure on mobile, wait until you can check from a desktop computer where sender details are easier to inspect.
✅ Example of a real sender: support@eddy.com
❌ Example of a fake sender: eddy-payroll@gmail.com
This email is an example of a phishing attack where they try to get you to go to a fake Eddy website and enter your real Eddy password. The fake Eddy website might look a lot like the real Eddy website:
Fraudsters may create fake Eddy websites to steal your login details. Look for these signs before entering credentials:
✅ Signs of a secure, official Eddy website:
- The web address ends in “.eddy.com (Example: app.eddy.com)
- The site displays a lock icon next to the URL (indicating it’s secure)
❌ Signs of a fake or unsafe site:
- Different domains: eddy.io, eddy.biz
- Lookalike characters: 3ddy.com, get-eddy.com
- Prefix or suffix tricks: eddy.com.runpayroll, payroll-eddy.com
- “Not Secure” warning appears in your browser
How to Respond When You Suspect Phishing
Immediate Steps
- Don't click, open, or respond to suspicious emails
- Verify independently: Contact the supposed sender through a known phone number or verified email address
- Report immediately: Forward suspicious emails to your IT department and report them through proper channels
Reporting Procedures
If you encounter a phishing attempt:
- Internal reporting: Notify your IT department or security team immediately
- External reporting: Forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org
- Government reporting: Report incidents to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
If You've Been Compromised
- Change passwords immediately for all affected accounts
- Notify your IT department right away
- Monitor accounts for unusual activity
- Follow your company's incident response procedures
Building Strong Defense Habits
Email Best Practices
- Type URLs directly into your browser instead of clicking email links
- Verify all requests through independent communication channels
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where available
- Keep software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities
Creating a Security-Minded Culture
Research shows that trained employees are 30% less likely to click on phishing links, and 80% of organizations report that phishing awareness training reduces employee susceptibility to attacks. You play a crucial role in your company's cybersecurity by:
- Staying vigilant and questioning unexpected requests
- Sharing knowledge with colleagues about new threats you encounter
- Reporting suspicious activity without fear of judgment
- Participating actively in security training programs
The Business Case for Vigilance
Your vigilance directly impacts your company's survival. Studies show that security awareness training can reduce the risk of employee-driven cyber incidents by up to 72%, with organizations achieving significant returns on investment. For every $1 spent on security awareness training, companies can potentially gain $4 in value.
The alternative is stark: with 95% of cybersecurity incidents attributed to human error, employees remain both the biggest vulnerability and the strongest defense against cyber threats.
Conclusion
Phishing attacks continue to evolve and pose serious threats to small businesses like yours. However, with proper awareness, vigilance, and response procedures, you can serve as a critical line of defense. Remember that cybercriminals rely on human psychology—creating urgency, fear, or excitement to bypass your natural caution.
By staying informed about current threats, questioning suspicious communications, and following established security protocols, you're not just protecting yourself—you're safeguarding your colleagues, customers, and the entire organization. In today's digital landscape, cybersecurity truly is everyone's responsibility.
Stay alert, stay informed, and when in doubt, always verify through trusted channels before taking any action. Your awareness and quick response could be what prevents your company from becoming another cybercrime statistic.
Protecting Your Business from Phishing: A Guide for Small Business Employees
By Eddy Team — September 9, 2025
Why Phishing Matters to Your Company
Phishing attacks represent one of the most serious cybersecurity threats facing small businesses today. With 43% of all cyber attacks targeting businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees, and small businesses receiving the highest rate of targeted malicious emails at 1 in 323, your organization is likely already in cybercriminals' crosshairs.
The financial impact is devastating. 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyberattack shut down within six months, and the average cost ranges from $84,000 to $254,445 per incident. More alarming still, phishing attacks cost organizations an average of $4.8 million per breach, making it the third costliest initial threat vector.
What Is Phishing?
Phishing is a cybercrime where attackers trick people into revealing sensitive information or taking harmful actions by impersonating trusted entities. These attacks typically arrive via email but can also occur through text messages, phone calls, or fake websites.
Phishing has evolved significantly. Today's attacks use sophisticated techniques, with 73.8% of phishing emails in 2024 incorporating some form of AI, making them harder to detect than ever before. AI-generated phishing emails achieve a 54% click-through rate compared to just 12% for human-written messages.
Common Phishing Red Flags Every Employee Should Know
Suspicious Email Addresses
- Misspelled domains: Look for domains like "amaz0n.com" instead of "amazon.com"
- Unfamiliar senders: Be wary of emails from unknown addresses
- Generic domains: Professional communications shouldn't come from "@gmail.com" or "@yahoo.com" addresses
- Mismatched information: When the sender's display name doesn't match their email domain
Content Warning Signs
- Urgent language: Phrases like "act now," "immediate action required," or "your account will be suspended"
- Too-good-to-be-true offers: Unexpected prizes, bonuses, or discounts requiring personal information
- Poor grammar and spelling: Professional organizations typically have well-written communications
- Suspicious attachments: Be especially cautious of .exe files or unexpected HTML attachments
Request Red Flags
- Requests for personal information: Legitimate companies rarely ask for passwords or sensitive data via email
- Unusual financial requests: Especially urgent requests for wire transfers or payment changes
- Links to login pages: Hover over links to verify they lead to legitimate websites
HR and Payroll-Specific Phishing Threats
Your HR and payroll systems are particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals. Recent trends show a significant uptick in HR payroll phishing scams where attackers impersonate employees requesting changes to their paycheck deposit information.
Common HR-targeted phishing scenarios include:
- Fake payroll update requests: Emails claiming to be from employees asking to change their banking information
- Benefits enrollment scams: Fraudulent messages about health insurance or retirement plan updates
- Policy update notifications: Fake HR communications about new workplace policies
- Executive impersonation: Cybercriminals posing as CEOs or other executives requesting wire transfers or sensitive employee information
These attacks are particularly dangerous because they often wait until the last minute to request changes, using urgency to override logic and common sense.
A real-world example
The screenshot below is from an actual email sent to an employee inviting them to see the latest "time tracking updates".
While this email might look real, the sender address is not from eddy.com.
To view the sender, hover over (or tap and hold on mobile) the sender’s name to check the full email address. If you’re unsure on mobile, wait until you can check from a desktop computer where sender details are easier to inspect.
✅ Example of a real sender: support@eddy.com
❌ Example of a fake sender: eddy-payroll@gmail.com
This email is an example of a phishing attack where they try to get you to go to a fake Eddy website and enter your real Eddy password. The fake Eddy website might look a lot like the real Eddy website:
Fraudsters may create fake Eddy websites to steal your login details. Look for these signs before entering credentials:
✅ Signs of a secure, official Eddy website:
- The web address ends in “.eddy.com (Example: app.eddy.com)
- The site displays a lock icon next to the URL (indicating it’s secure)
❌ Signs of a fake or unsafe site:
- Different domains: eddy.io, eddy.biz
- Lookalike characters: 3ddy.com, get-eddy.com
- Prefix or suffix tricks: eddy.com.runpayroll, payroll-eddy.com
- “Not Secure” warning appears in your browser
How to Respond When You Suspect Phishing
Immediate Steps
- Don't click, open, or respond to suspicious emails
- Verify independently: Contact the supposed sender through a known phone number or verified email address
- Report immediately: Forward suspicious emails to your IT department and report them through proper channels
Reporting Procedures
If you encounter a phishing attempt:
- Internal reporting: Notify your IT department or security team immediately
- External reporting: Forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org
- Government reporting: Report incidents to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
If You've Been Compromised
- Change passwords immediately for all affected accounts
- Notify your IT department right away
- Monitor accounts for unusual activity
- Follow your company's incident response procedures
Building Strong Defense Habits
Email Best Practices
- Type URLs directly into your browser instead of clicking email links
- Verify all requests through independent communication channels
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where available
- Keep software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities
Creating a Security-Minded Culture
Research shows that trained employees are 30% less likely to click on phishing links, and 80% of organizations report that phishing awareness training reduces employee susceptibility to attacks. You play a crucial role in your company's cybersecurity by:
- Staying vigilant and questioning unexpected requests
- Sharing knowledge with colleagues about new threats you encounter
- Reporting suspicious activity without fear of judgment
- Participating actively in security training programs
The Business Case for Vigilance
Your vigilance directly impacts your company's survival. Studies show that security awareness training can reduce the risk of employee-driven cyber incidents by up to 72%, with organizations achieving significant returns on investment. For every $1 spent on security awareness training, companies can potentially gain $4 in value.
The alternative is stark: with 95% of cybersecurity incidents attributed to human error, employees remain both the biggest vulnerability and the strongest defense against cyber threats.
Conclusion
Phishing attacks continue to evolve and pose serious threats to small businesses like yours. However, with proper awareness, vigilance, and response procedures, you can serve as a critical line of defense. Remember that cybercriminals rely on human psychology—creating urgency, fear, or excitement to bypass your natural caution.
By staying informed about current threats, questioning suspicious communications, and following established security protocols, you're not just protecting yourself—you're safeguarding your colleagues, customers, and the entire organization. In today's digital landscape, cybersecurity truly is everyone's responsibility.
Stay alert, stay informed, and when in doubt, always verify through trusted channels before taking any action. Your awareness and quick response could be what prevents your company from becoming another cybercrime statistic.
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